There are different kinds of alternative insulation materials for your home, including Mineral wool, Sheep’s wool, Thermal foil, and Cellulose. Read this article to learn more about these materials. Cellulose is the safest option. Mineral wool is a good choice as well. ThermaCork is also environmentally friendly, as it comes from oak trees. Its benefits also include noise cancellation. Another type of insulation is Aerogel, which costs a bit more but is made up of 90% air.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is a petroleum based chemical mixture – so is it safe for homeowners and their families?
After proper installation and curing, spray foam insulation is perfectly safe for your family and structure. The insulation is a chemical compound produced by combining polyol resin and isocyanate. Because you are using chemicals that can ecome dangerous when handled improperly, this is the reason you should use a licensed insulation contractor to install this type of insulation.
When installed properly and entirely cured, spray foam insulation is very safe and will even contribute to improving the indoor air quality of your home because it acts to effectively seal all possible entry points in your home where irritants such as pollen, dust, and other types of pollution could get in. Get more information here.
Cellulose
While many people don’t know it, cellulose is the best and safest home insulation material. It is a natural product composed mostly of recycled materials and is relatively cheap to buy. However, it is recommended that you hire a professional to install it for you. It is a relatively complicated process and you’ll need a large motorized blower to get the job done. You’ll spend about $2,500 to $5,000 to insulate your attic with cellulose.
Cellulose is made up of 80% post-consumer recycled newsprint. It is treated chemically with non-toxic borate compounds that inhibit the growth of mold, insects, and fire. The material is also a great choice for homeowners who want to save on energy bills and save the environment. Another plus of cellulose is its high density. That means that fewer voids in your home mean that noise can escape and keep the house warm.
Mineral wool
One of the best features of mineral wool is its ability to reduce energy costs. While most home insulation materials contain some amount of fiberglass, mineral wool’s composition is 70% recycled material, making it environmentally friendly. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but mineral wool has superior sound-deadening capabilities. Another benefit of mineral wool is its durability is not an issue with this material. In fact, the mineral wool batts are stiffer and require no wire or staples to be installed in the walls. It’s also fire resistant and doesn’t promote the growth of mold.
Although mineral wool does contain a small amount of formaldehyde-based binders, the material is safe to use in a home. Its manufacturers are working to develop alternatives to formaldehyde-based binders, and in time, the mineral wool industry should move toward this. Until then, however, the mineral wool industry will stay the way it is. Some manufacturers are already making the transition to biobased binders, such as Roxul, which recently introduced the UltraBatt flexible batt insulation product.
Sheep’s wool
Sheep’s wool is far better at reducing noise through buildings than plastic or mineral wool insulation. Its irregular shape and soft, fibrous quality make it far superior to other insulation materials. Sheep’s wool is an excellent choice for bedrooms, home offices, music rooms, and other areas of the house where noise is a concern. It also offers excellent thermal resistance, ensuring that your home stays warm or cool.
Sheep’s wool is also great for managing moisture levels. It absorbs water and releases it again, preventing excessive humidity and mould growth. Another benefit of wool is that it comes in batts that can be blown in like synthetic insulators. It can also help reduce energy bills. In addition, sheep’s wool does not contain any harmful chemicals, so you can safely install it yourself.
Thermal foil
Thermal foil is an excellent way to insulate homes. This type of insulation is very effective at stopping air from transferring through the walls. It is also quick to install and is relatively inexpensive. However, it is important to note that thermal foil does not work well if there is too much moisture in the house. Therefore, proper ventilation is very important. You should clean surfaces regularly and ensure that there is no dust buildup. Read next article.